Dougie Hamilton getting closer to return for Devils?

After the news of Jack Hughes entering COVID-19 protocol on Sunday, Devils fans are understandably stressed. There’s some good news on the horizon, however, as it appears defenseman Dougie Hamilton is making progress toward his return to the lineup. Team reporter Amanda Stein said on Sunday that although Hamilton did not join his teammates for practice, the veteran defenseman did skate by himself Sunday morning. Hamilton has been limited to 30 of 45 games this season with various injuries, but he’s now been out of the lineup for more than a month with a broken jaw. His 20 points in 30 games are by far the best scoring pace by a Devils defenseman this season, and while his defensive game has stuttered a few times this season, expect more consistent playing time in his new system to aid with that.

More notes from the Devils organization:

• The Devils made a shift on defense on Sunday, calling up defenseman Colton White from the AHL’s Utica Comets. While Mason Geertsen can play defense, he’s been utilized mostly at forward this season when in the lineup. With that, the Devils had no extra healthy defensemen with the dissipation of taxi squads across the league over the All-Star break. White brings 15 games of NHL experience this season back to the roster, notching three assists.
• Stein also reports that head coach Lindy Ruff will return to the Devils later Sunday in Ottawa ahead of their game against the Senators on Monday. Ruff was away from the team in Western Canada after the passing of his father. Assistant Alain Nasreddine coached the Devils in his absence and ran their practice on Sunday.